Which urban park do you find to be most appealing, and why?

I'll go with Central park, simply because it's much bigger and it has a certain charm that no other park in the world has, I don't know if it is because it's in the middle of Manhattan, but Central park is just so appealling!

you know, im not nearly as familiar with fairmont as i am with central park. some comparitive pics or some links to some info about both might help the readers(or atleast myself) better decide. no?

I'll go with Central park, simply because it's much bigger and it has a certain charm that no other park in the world has, I don't know if it is because it's in the middle of Manhattan, but Central park is just so appealling!
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, WHOA! I have no problem that you choose Central PArk because it's your opinion and also I stongly agree wiht you aboout its incredible charm. However, let's gets our facts straight here.

Fairmount Park System:
9,000 acres

Fairmount Park (main park):
4,000 acres

Central Park:
800 acres

Fairmount is considerabley much, much, much larger than Central Park, whether you define Fairmount Park as being the main stretch of park situated between Center City, West Philly, and Northwest Philly, or the entire system.

Anyway, I chose Fairmount Park partially because of Philly and partially because overall it is quite an extraordinary park. It is the largest landscaped urban park in the world, and includes a number of things including the Philadelphia Art Museum, the Philadelphia Zoo, teh Skullykhul River, many rowing clubs, Wissahickon Creek, the to-be Please Touch Museum, many historical mansions, an outdoor theater (Mann Center), and just miles and miles of hiking and biking trails.

I very much agree with many people that Central Park has a charm like no other because it's situated right in the middle of arguabley the most urban island, and among the most urban cities, in the world. It is virtually completely surrounded by skyscrapers (or atleast fairly tall highrises) and is beautifully landscaped and designed.

But all in all, I havta go with Fairmount Park on this one.

I like Central Park's location more.

you know, im not nearly as familiar with fairmont as i am with central park. some comparitive pics or some links to some info about both might help the readers(or atleast myself) better decide. no?


A link to Fairmount Park in Philadelphia:

http://www.fairmountpark.org/


Here are couple of links to NYC's Central Park:

http://www.centralpark.org/
http://www.centralparknyc.org/virtualpark

I'm going with Philly's park in this one...CP is cool, but not chilly enough

Fairmount Park, just because it is bigger and much more appealing to explore...

Pictures of Central Park are always spectacular, though.

I don't think this is a fair comparison

Fairmount should be compared to Pelham Bay Park or Van Cordtlandt park, if that were the case then I would give it to Fairmount (for ben franklin pkwy!)

When I'm eating dinner and looking over the trees in Central Park it's a beautiful sight. When I'm looking at center city from the plateau or going to a concert at the mann music center or walking down museum mile it's overwhelming. I like both for what they represent Big City Getaways. Fairmount Park is Huge. I like them both, they are great experiences.

Two entirely different parks in scope and size. I'm biased because I live right across the river from Philly, and take Kelly Drive along the Schuylkill every day on my way home from work. I'm going with Fairmount Park, but Central Park is awesome too, just in a different way.

I don't think this is a fair comparison

Fairmount should be compared to Pelham Bay Park or Van Cordtlandt park, if that were the case then I would give it to Fairmount (for ben franklin pkwy!)


Since both urban parks are large, I decided to pair them against one another. So, I think the comparison is fair.

As for the park itself, Fairmont is better because it is more scenic and is much larger, but Central Park is in a better location in my opinion.

I would usually never compare Phila with NYC, but this one has to go to Philly.

Central Park is nice, but you still feel like you're in NYC, whereas with Fairmount Park, you feel as though you are really with Nature, especially with the rolling hills, and ample foliage.

And I HAVE been in both, unlike many people who I feel will not have been but yet will probably post in this thread.

it's like comparing apples and oranges. central park is a compact, green wonderland in the heart of manhattan. fairmount park is a lush, green, bucolic retreat from the city.
deep into fairmount park, it can be difficult to hear many city sounds. both are fabulous parks, each in their own particular way.

Both are nice but I'll go with Fairmount. Woods, bike trails, wildlife, rivers... its amazing.

Yeah... I just wanted to add something... I have witnessed dozens upon dozens of times when out-of-towners or even Philly suburbanites have either seen pictures or videos of fairmount park, or have been driven through it (for example during the drive from Center City or the Main Line to my house in West Mt. Airy), and immediately assumed we had well left Philadelphia city proper. It creates quite an illusion.